Episodes of Gastroparesis

I define "episodes" as a day or week long attack on my stomach via GP.  Symptoms include 24-hour severe nausea, relentless vomiting, and severe pain.  The current episode that I am in is a doosey!  Somehow, and I am not sure how, I have persevered through the worst symptoms without going to the hospital.  I term this episode as my Christmas gift from my nervous system.  Fun-Fun-Fun!!!  How is your GP acting this holiday season?

Quick Holiday Prayer Note

I just wanted to say that I truly pray for all of us people who suffer from gastroparesis.  May we all be at peace.  May our pains subside.  May our never-ending nausea lesson.  May we all find the peace of Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus the Christ).  Be well.

Shut-In

For over six years now, I have become a social recluse, in truth a shut-in.  I have reached the point in my GP that I am actually afraid to leave the house.  I haven't been to visit my family in a long long time.  The only time I have seen my parents is when they drove me to and from the emergency room.  In fact, I have yet to meet my youngest nephew who is over one years old.  I have missed Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations year after year. It is very depressing, trust me.

Six years ago I was on the fast-track to becoming an ordained minister through my General Baptist church.  I was ministering to people around the world with the organization I created and ran, The Road to God Ministry.  I was giving sermons in church and evangelizing through the internet, the distribution of tracts in Jewish newspapers and working city and county fairs.  And I absolutely loved it!

But then it happened...I got sick.  I thought it was the stomach flu, but it never went away.  What is GP to me?  It is the stomach flu for life.  Never knowing when I would vomit without warning.  Never knowing if I could tolerate the unrelenting nausea.  Never knowing if I could take pain medication for the agony GP puts me through.  Never knowing if I should go to the local emergency room, even though they see me as a habitual drug seeker instead of a patient in intense pain.

I know I am ranting here, but I am hoping there are others out there who could pass on some good advice as to how to be properly social while being ill.  Please leave comments or send me a message.

Happy Hanukkah everyone.

So What's Your Trick in Overcoming Nausea

Over the past six years or so I have embarked upon a great campaign in the hopes of finding some nausea relief.  In doing so I have encountered a menagerie of opinions as to what works best for these symptoms.  I have compiled a list of items below.  These items have either been recommended, prescribed or otherwise asked to try.  The items unlined are what I presently use as needed.  The bold print items are one that I RECOMMEND.  Items #1-8 are only available via prescription.

1. Zofran.  The great and powerful anti-emetic.  This is what is give to chemo-therapy patients to combat their nausea issues.  This medication works best as an IV.  
2. Phenergan.  This drug has more and more warnings attached to it.  Yet, it really works for me.
3. Compazine  
4. Emend (brand new)
5. Tigan (tough to get)
6. Ativan
7. Bentyl
8. Reglan
9. Benadryl
10. Ginger:  crystallized, raw, tea, Diet Canadian Dry, etc.
11. Tea:  Oolong
12. Water, Water and drink more Water
13. Pressure point braclets (useless!)
14. Marijuana (assuming you have a state-licence to use and own).  I have been told by several ER doctors that marijuana can have a polar effect on gastroparesis, causing the motility in the stomach fail further.  I have never had this effect.  My opinion on medical marijuana is simple; it should be accessible and legal for needed patients. Keep in mind that there is a nasty price to pay for using this course of action.  I do not know if the "false guilt" I feel after smoking is worth it.  Personally, this is my least favorite alternative, for I always feel hypocritical from my head to my toes when I return to the use of this item.  I will never recommend this option.  It's a personal choice. (I will blog about this in the future)
15. Nausatrol.  An OTC sugar syrup liquid.  It may work for some people, but never myself.  There is so much sugar on this elixir that if it does not aid the nausea, then it will be a great leap for your blood glucose level.
16. Coca-Cola Syrup.  An OTC sugar syrup liquid.  It may work for some people, but never myself.  There is so much sugar on this elixir that if it does not aid the nausea, then it will be a great leap for your blood glucose level.
17. Maintaining a consistent blood sugar level.  This item is huge!  I am a Type 1 diabetic and as such  I have continual issues with my pancreas.  This is a tough one, but essential to healthy living.  I believe and diabetic can attest to the fact that when sugar levels are off, then EVERYTHING about you is "off."  The high or low sugar levels change the way our anatomy functions.  My GP was caused by not having consistent blood glucose levels.  Good sugars create stability.  High sugars create anatomical chaos(I will blog about this in the future)
18. Gatorade or G2.  I do use this, but I have never seen any improvement of the nausea.
19. Apple Cider Vinegar.  Never tried it.
20. The great daddy here!!! Nuerostimulator for your stomach.  I haven't had it yet, bu as soon as BCBS comes to reason, then it will be mine!

Well, that is it for now.  But please message me or leave a comment on how YOU handle this "green demon" that lives in our belly.

"Drug Seeker"

The question is simple, when should I, if at all, go to the ER's for symptom relief?  In the past I would would just "wing it" and go if I felt it needed.  But that is no longer a viable option.  I have spent so much time in area ER's looking for nausea, vomiting and pain relief that most area hospitals believe I am a "drug seeker."  It probably doesn't help that I walk into the emergency room KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT I NEED AND WHAT WILL NOT WORK.  The best example of this issue is the drug Tordol, an anti-inflammatory.  I know it will not work on my belly, its been tried over and over.  But what can I do, just walk into the ER declaring that I need an immediate IV and a 4mg dose of Zofran and a minimal dose of Dilaudid. Most ER's are just following their narcotic usage protocols, I really cannot be too angry, except for the fact that I am suffering and all I want is relief.

Anyone else having this issue and what did you do?  

A Rough Day

I am having a very rough day today.  The kind of day that I often find myself debating on the issue of whether or not I am sick enough to go to an ER.  Should I stay or should I go?  This is a battle I have been fighting since yesterday evening.  Stay home or go to the ER?  I was up all night with severe nausea, dry retching and vomiting.

I know it sounds like Steve's broken record; the fact I have been suffering from two severe and invisible chronic illness (ICI), Type 1 Diabetes and gastroparesis in my life. 

For those of us who suffer from gp, I hope and pray that a new discovery in the treatment of gastroparesis.  It is my hope and prayer that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will change their policy in regards to the nuero-simulator for the stomach.  I have been told that the simulator can only relieve up to 30-60% of digestive ills, mainly nausea.  But 30-60% of relief sounds like relief.

If anyone has some ideas then I am more then ready to listen.

Precious Lord, thank you for each and every blessing you have bestowed upon me.  I pray that I may endure the suffering that comes from gp.  May you grant us all the love and happiness we may endure.  Knowing you are there is what makes this possible.

Let's Call BLACK Friday "Seasick GREEN" Friday

Well, I made it through another Thanksgiving; my sixth since I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis (GP).  I made it through Thanksgiving utilizing my mad skills at watching cable, being on the computer or Kindle, and everyone with GP's favorite oxymoron; how it is possible for one person to be nauseous and hungry at the same time.  GP is always throwing us for a loops like that.

What I hated about yesterday and the upcoming holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas Eve and Christmas that I can say, even now, that I most likely will not be attending any of these events.  This will be the third year I have missed everything.  What I am hoping for is that I will get to my in-laws home after the Christmas meal.  I pray I am well enough to attend.  Unfortunately my track record is not to good.

Have a wonderful Hanukkah, Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Thanksgiving 2014

Here we are again... Thanksgiving.  The one holiday where food is the holiday.  Yet, for many gp'ers this holiday once again proves that are bellies have become the brain of the operation for how we live.  This will be my third year to miss the holiday.  Pass Thanksgiving away as a loss, time to pass Thanksgiving as a non-gp holiday.  It is sad.

What are you doing for your holiday?

Oh yeah. have a Happy Thanksgiving 2014.

Blue Cross Blue Shield...Bite Me

Recently my wife and I attempted to come up with a number of how many times I been in the hospital, both hospitalized and times I visited the ER since my gp was diagnosed.  Along with that total we asked how many times have I been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.  The numbers where scary!  We estimated that I was in the hospital 45-50 times since I had been diagnosed with gastroparesis six years ago.  As for the ambulance rides, I counted eight or nine times.  Ridiculous!

A few years ago, after my symptoms worsened my wife and I went to an appointment to see the gastroenterology department at Henry Ford Hospitals.  We heard that of all the local hospital networks, Henry Ford Hospital was one of the leaders in doctors who knew about gp.  In particular, we went to Henry Ford to see about getting a nuero-simulator for my stomach.  I think anyone who suffers gp will agree that 20-60% of nausea relief some AWESOME!  Thus we went to see the surgeon and I was happily told by the surgeon that I was a perfect candidate.

Then came the slap to my hope.

The surgeon told us that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBS) will not pay for this surgery.  According to BCBS the implant is still considered as "research" and as such they will not pay.  My secondary insurance will help, but only if  BCBS also pays.  By the way the cost for this surgery is approximately $50,000.

For anyone who chooses to read my blog will find that I will often fall back to this issue with BCBS.  Here's the question:

How many hospital visits and ambulance rides will they have to pay for until they see it would be cheaper and to give me the surgery?

What do you think?

Reason For the Blog

Hello, my name is Steve.  I am a middle-aged husband and a father of one beautiful girl.  The reason for this blog is two-fold.  First, by posting whats happening in my life in regards to the activity and treatment for my gastroparesis (gp) then I feel it is likely that some information from this blog may be of aid to someone who is also suffering from gp, aka "the stomach flux" everyday of their lives.  The second reason I created this blog is so I may express what's going on in my gp-life.  By typing away my frustrations I feel my self relaxing, both physically and emotionally. Feel free to send me comments and advice.